It’s said that the first casualty of war is truth. The following totals of Russia-Ukraine war losses all start from February 24, 2022.
Source: Ukrainian Memory Book – 35,000 regular Ukrainian military killed, 15,000 missing, 3,400 captured, up to 100,000 wounded, to Nov. 14, 2023.
Source: NATO estimates – 300,000+ regular Ukrainian military casualties, to Nov. 29, 2023.
Source: U.S. estimates – 120,000 regular Ukrainian military killed, 180,000 wounded, up to Aug. 18, 2023.
Christmas ain’t always pretty and happy. In fact for many it is a downright glum and nasty time of the year, no merry-making for those on skid row, without jobs or shelter, who are substance dependent or just plain down on their luck. Pays to remember that after the taste of liberally laced eggnog has long been washed away by dirty rain. Replaced by bills to pay for impulse purchases as well as those made necessary by family. At this time of year few of those on the ropes have any expectations. Bah, expectorations are more like it.
Estonia, the northernmost of the Baltic states, is having its moment in the sun. With a groundswell of design hotels, buzzy restaurants, and detour-worthy wellness destinations, the nation of just 1.3 million people is emerging as Eastern Europe’s new hotspot, giving travelers reason to skip neighboring Scandinavia in favor of a more underrated design- and culture-filled getaway.
While Belarus has not been designated as Russian-occupied territory, Russianization here has been an inevitable development and now fully entrenched in the country. This includes suppression of any political opposition. Not since the protests of 2020, not a single demonstration from the democratic opposition has been allowed. Some 500,000 have left the country.
In 2024, cultural diversity will be celebrated in Estonia upon initiative from the Estonian Ministry of Culture the unique qualities of communities and cultures which contribute to the cultural diversity of Estonia. The organization of the year’s events has been entrusted to the Integration Foundation. Everyone will work together in order to showcase and help bring cultural diversity to the forefront. There will be discovery and sharing, valuing and creation, preservation and enrichment of the cultural idiosyncrasies of communities and cultures through everything that unites people: starting from experiences and myths to creations and the future in day to day life and special occasions, in research projects and events. Cultural diversity is the face of our society, which we will all share next year, is what the leaders and organizers of the year declare.